LiDAR terrain view · USGS 3DEP
Sumner Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainDifficulty
Easy
Trail Length
0.5 miles
Trail Type
Out And Back
About Sumner Falls
Sumner Falls (also called Hartland Rapids) is a set of rock ledges and rapids across a wide stretch of the Connecticut River in Hartland, Vermont, with a small drop at the southern end. It is reached from the Vermont side through the Town of Hartland's 55-acre Sumner Falls Recreation Area off US Route 5. Anglers and paddlers use it heavily, and a marked portage trail runs around the rapids.
Trail & Hike Details
Trail Description
From the parking and picnic area at the end of the access road, short paths lead to the river beach and a marked portage trail that bypasses the rapids. Most of the rest of the 55-acre parcel is wooded and has no developed trails.
What to Expect
Dogs are welcome.
Accessibility
The trail is short and relatively flat, but the surface may be uneven. Contact the managing agency for accessibility details.
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Sumner Falls?
✅ Dogs are allowed
Dogs are allowed at this town recreation area; keep them under control near the river and pick up after them.
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Sumner Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Spring and fall are the best times to visit for optimal water flow and scenic beauty. Summer is also popular for outdoor activities.
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
Releases from upstream dams, especially Wilder Dam, can raise the river suddenly. People have been stranded on river islands by rising water (2022) and rescued after tubing into the rapids (2024). Rocks are slippery and the current is strong; do not wade or swim near the ledges.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on Connecticut River, 6.6 miles away, not on Sumner Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
964 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
Much lower than usual for this time of year
Based on 113 years of record
3.88 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is well below normal for this time of year, so the waterfall may be a trickle.
About This Gauge
This gauge is on a nearby waterway and may not reflect exact conditions at the falls.
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge CONNECTICUT RIVER AT WEST LEBANON, NH (11 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
964 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Low
1043 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
1088 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
1132 cfs
4/10Sun
Low
1003 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
971 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
966 cfs
5/10Best window: Today — barely flowing flow, partly sunny (trip score 5/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from mid March to early June, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near North Hartland hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Sumner Falls Frozen?
Updated about 10 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately strong flow slows freezing
Sumner Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 54°F to 44°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 964 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail. See every frozen waterfall in New Hampshire.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Getting There
Sumner Falls Recreation Area is at 404 US Route 5 in Hartland, Vermont, about 4 miles north of the Windsor/Hartland town line. From I-91 exit 9, go left and follow Route 5 north through Hartland village until it crosses back over I-91, then watch for the gated gravel access road on the right. The road runs about 0.3 miles to the river.
Get Directions on Google MapsParking
Free parking at a small picnic area at the end of the gravel access road, with a seasonal portable toilet. In winter the gate at Route 5 is closed and there is room for only one or two cars outside it, often none after plowing.
Elevation
308 feet above sea level
Coordinates
43.564515° N, -72.380925° W
Visitor Tips & Gear
Wear sturdy shoes as the area near the water can be slippery. Bring a picnic to enjoy by the river, and consider visiting during the fall for beautiful foliage views.
Where to Stay
Spooner House
Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites White River Junction by IHG
The Shire Woodstock
Align Inn Vermont
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
NORTH HARTLAND LAKE BEACH (VT)
2.1 miles away · 3 sites
Overview North Hartland Lake is a US Army Corps of Engineers day use facility located on the Ottauquechee River in North Hartland, VT. Close to the towns of Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Hartford, Vermont, North Hartland Lake is a popular destination for outdoor recreation in the Upper Valley.Recreation Swimming, fishing, paddling, and boating are all popular activities at North Hartland Lake. A playground, horseshoe pits, volleyball nets, picnic tables and grills are available for all to enjoy. Fa
Book on Recreation.govAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Quechee Gorge and the village of Woodstock, Vermont, are a short drive away.
Wildlife
The area is home to various bird species, including herons and eagles, as well as fish in the river.
Cities near Sumner Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
LiDAR
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